Pete Alonso didn’t hide from the moment Monday delivered in Baltimore.
One day after the Orioles sent 2019 first-round pick Adley Rutschman to the Boston Red Sox, Alonso spoke to reporters and addressed the team’s reaction to a deadline that also included the departures of Taylor Ward and Tyler Wells. According to Alonso, Orioles GM and President Mike Elias met with the club and laid out where things stand.
Alonso said he appreciated Elias being straightforward with the group. He also said Elias still believes Baltimore can make a postseason push.
The bigger issue, Alonso suggested, is that the Orioles haven’t done enough to make the front office’s job easier. Baltimore sits at 54-58, fourth in the AL East and 2.5 games back in the race for the third wild card. The chase is crowded, with Minnesota, Texas, Seattle, Baltimore and Detroit all packed within 2.5 games of the final spot.
For Baltimore, the cleanest answer now is on the field. Win games, steady the noise and make the move harder to absorb.
That’s easier said than done after a deadline that hit a few players hard, especially those close to Rutschman. He was reportedly on his way to the movie theater to see the new “Spiderman” movie with Colton Cowser, Gunnar Henderson and Ryan Mountcastle when he got the news. Rutschman was well-liked in the clubhouse, but, as the saying goes, baseball is a business.
There’s also reporting that the Orioles offered Rutschman two deals between November and May, and both were turned down.
The timing makes Tuesday night feel even heavier. Baltimore is set to open at Camden Yards against the Los Angeles Angels, with Grayson Rodriguez - now pitching for the Angels - scheduled to start. How fans respond to the reshaped roster, and to seeing one of the club’s former pitchers back on the mound, will be part of the story when the Orioles take the field.
In Other News...
Jets Rookies Are Already Creating Clear Camp Winners And Losers
Training camp has already started sorting the Jets rookie class, and the early returns are fairly easy to read. David Bailey and Darrell Jackson Jr. have been among the standouts, two first-year players who have boosted their stock with strong showings, while Omar Cooper Jr. has given the offense a possible dependable target in the receiving corps. For a team trying to build depth and competition all over the roster, those kinds of early impressions matter even before the pads really come on.
The other side of that ledger is less encouraging. Kenyon Sadiq and D'Angelo Ponds have both seen their momentum stall because of injuries and limited practice time, and the gap between availability and promise can get wide fast in camp. Cade Klubnik remains another name to watch as a quarterback draft pick, but the Jets are still waiting to see him on the field, which leaves one of the more intriguing rookie storylines unresolved for now. [Read more 🡒]
Jets May Have Found A Will McDonald Trade That Solves Two Problems
Will McDonalds future with the Jets is already being viewed through a practical lens, and not just because of what he brings off the edge. New York has been cautious about committing to a long-term extension, and the bigger issue remains whether he can hold up well enough as a run defender to keep his value high in the eyes of the front office. For a team trying to balance immediate needs with roster planning, that makes his situation one worth watching closely.
The trade talk gets more interesting because the Jets could be looking at a deal that fills another hole at the same time. Atlanta has been mentioned as a possible partner as the Falcons work through injury and uncertainty at pass rusher, and a swap involving McDonald could appeal if New York decides to pivot. Nothing has been finalized, but the idea of turning one lingering question into help at a different position is the kind of move that can linger around a team until the deadline of a decision finally arrives. [Read more 🡒]
Tim Patrick Could Be More Important To The Jets Than Fans Think
Tim Patrick arrived in May after the draft, and his value to the Jets may extend well beyond the usual search for another pass catcher. At 32, he brings a veteran presence to a receiving room that can use steadiness, and Adonai Mitchell has already singled out Patricks leadership and experience as traits that matter inside the locker room.
Patrick has also shown he can still produce in recent seasons, but what may really help him fit in with the Jets is the less flashy side of his game. His run-blocking stands out, and in a team trying to build a more complete offense, that kind of work can quietly make a receiver more important than his role on the depth chart suggests. [Read more 🡒]